| County: | Manistee County |
| State: | Michigan |
| Ex Image: | Tippy Dam (July 2017).jpg |
| Ex Image Size: | 300px |
| Founded Year: | 1840 1855 (organized) |
| Seat Wl: | Manistee |
| Largest City Wl: | Manistee |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 1281 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 542 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 738 |
| Area Percentage: | 58% |
| Census Yr: | 2020 |
| Pop: | 25,032 |
| Density Sq Mi: | 46 |
| Web: | www.manisteecountymi.gov |
| District: | 2nd |
| Time Zone: | Eastern |
Manistee County () is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,032.[1] The county seat is Manistee.[2] The county is named for the Manistee River. Manistee County is part of Northern Michigan and has a shoreline on Lake Michigan.
Manistee County was set off in 1840 from Michilimackinac County as an unorganized county.[3] [4] In 1851, it was attached to Grand Traverse County for legal purposes.[5] Manistee County was organized in its own right on February 13, 1855.[6]
The name "Manistee" is from an Ojibwe word first applied to the principal river of the county. The derivation is not certain,[7] but it may be from ministigweyaa, "river with islands at its mouth".[8] [9]
There are thirteen recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[10]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (58%) is water.[11] Manistee County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.
By land
By water
As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 24,527 people, 9,860 households, and 6,714 families residing in the county. The population density was 45/mi2. There were 14,272 housing units at an average density of 26/mi2. As of 2020, its population was 25,032.
In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 94.16% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.5% were of German, 16.9% Polish, 8.8% English, 8.8% American and 7.1% Irish ancestry. 96.2% spoke English and 2.3% Spanish as their first language.
There were 9,860 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 103.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $34,208, and the median income for a family was $41,664. Males had a median income of $33,211 versus $20,851 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,204. About 6.90% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.
School districts include:[13]
The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions - police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. - are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.
(information as of February 2012)
As of early 2021 North Flight EMS has since transferred the primary ambulance service to Mobile Medical Response.
Manistee County-Blacker Airport is approximately 3miles northeast of Manistee. It offers direct flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Previously, an additional highway, M-110, was designated to run from US 31 at Parkdale to Orchard Beach State Park. However, the highway was returned to local control in 2003.[14] [15]